That’s a good question and I imagine first-year defensive coordinator Sean Desai has spent a ton of time on that this offseason. If I had to guess right now, Desmond Trufant, who has battled injuries the last two seasons, and Kindle Vildor are the top options to start at cornerback opposite Jaylon Johnson, whose rookie season in 2020 ended prematurely with a shoulder issue. You’re right that Jackson needs to bounce back and that there are legitimate questions about the nickel position. The Bears did re-sign strong safety Tashaun Gipson, who was steady in his first season with the team, so there will be chemistry between him and Jackson. You make another good point that the pass rush needs to improve in 2021 too. While a ton of focus is justifiably on the offense, there are issues to be sorted out on defense.
